Enhancement of growth and Cannabinoids content of hemp (Cannabis sativa) using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

• Published in: Frontiers in plant science Vol. 13; p. 845794
• Main Authors: Seemakram, Wasan, Paluka, Jakkapat, Suebrasri, Thanapat, Lapjit, Chanon, Kanokmedhakul, Somdej, Kuyper, Thomas W., Ekprasert, Jindarat, Boonlue, Sophon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A 26.07.2022
• Subjects: Cannabis sativa KKU05; organic agriculture; plant growth promotion; Plant Science; Rhizophagus aggregatus; Rhizophagus prolifer
• ISSN: 1664-462X; 1664-462X
• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.845794

This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to promote growth and cannabinoid yield of Cannabis sativa KKU05. A completely randomized design (CRD) was conducted with six replications for 60 days. Two different species of AMF, Rhizophagus prolifer PC2-2 and R. aggregatus BM-3 g3 were selected as inocula and compared with two non-mycorrhizal controls, one without synthetic fertilizer and one with synthetic NPK fertilizer. The unfertilized non-mycorrhizal plants had the lowest performance, whereas plants inoculated with R. aggregatus BM-3 g3 performed best, both in terms of plant biomass and concentrations of CBD and THC. There were no significant differences in plant biomass and cannabinoid concentrations between non-mycorrhizal plants that received synthetic fertilizer and mycorrhizal plants with inoculum of R. prolifer PC2-2. Our data demonstrate the great potential for cannabis cultivation without risking deterioration of soil structure, such as soil hardening and increased acidity, which might be induced by long-term use of synthetic fertilizer.